How selfie seekers are contributing to the rise in shark attacks |

The pursuit of the good selfie has developed past a innocent pastime and is now a harmful pattern in the oceans. Scientists are warning that the rising variety of shark attacks will be attributed to vacationers and influencers keen to seize close-up moments with these highly effective predators. These reckless encounters, usually pushed by the want to {photograph} or movie, are main to dangerous conditions. A rising variety of shark attacks are truly defensive responses by sharks, triggered by human conduct similar to poking, prodding, or making an attempt to {photograph} them. As the selfie craze intensifies, scientists urge individuals to rethink the dangers and deal with these apex predators with the warning they require.

How is the selfie craze main to extra shark attacks

A brand new examine printed in Frontiers in Conservation reveals that many shark bites beforehand labelled as “attacks” are truly defensive reactions. Sharks are sometimes non-aggressive towards people. They reply instinctively after they really feel threatened, usually after being poked, prodded, or grabbed by people making an attempt to take pictures or movies.

Social media’s function in fueling dangerous behaviour round sharks

“People are treating sharks without any caution, in ways they would never treat a strange dog,” says Professor Eric Clua of Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) University, the examine’s lead creator. “Many influencers encourage clinging to a shark’s dorsal fin or stroking them under the false idea that they are harmless. But this behaviour provokes the animal’s survival instincts.”

Image supply: Alamy

What does the examine reveals

The examine examined shark encounters in French Polynesia from 2009 to 2023. Out of 74 recorded bites, about 5% have been discovered to be defensive, occurring instantly after people behaved aggressively or intrusively towards the shark. Most incidents concerned smaller species like gray reef sharks, lemon sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and nurse sharks.

What function are influencers taking part in in shark-human conflicts

This pattern is fueled by viral social media content material, the place influencers and even celebrities showcase themselves swimming beside or touching sharks. Wildlife photographer Taylor Cunningham, for instance, shared movies of herself touching tiger sharks, calling them “like family.” Meanwhile, marine biologist Ocean Ramsey sparked controversy after being filmed swimming alongside and stroking an enormous nice white shark, Deep Blue.

Recent examples of shark bites

These seemingly awe-inspiring moments include actual penalties. Recently, a Canadian vacationer misplaced each her palms and a part of her thigh whereas making an attempt to {photograph} a shark in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In one other tragic case, Barak Tzach, a father of 4, was killed by sharks whereas trying to movie them off the coast of Israel.

Misconceptions about sharks vs. the actuality of their behaviour

Experts emphasise that shark bites are extraordinarily uncommon in contrast to different dangers — sharks are answerable for fewer than 10 deaths a yr globally, whereas canines trigger over 10,000 fatalities yearly. Yet sharks endure from a powerful detrimental public picture, main to concern and misunderstanding.
“Enjoy the beauty of sharks, but remember: they are wild predators,” warns Professor Clua. “Look, don’t touch.”

What will be completed to stop future shark bites

The message is evident. As the obsession with capturing sensational content material grows, so does the threat, not simply to people, however to the sharks themselves. Scientists hope that by highlighting the actual causes behind many of those incidents, individuals will rethink their strategy to interacting with wildlife.
In the finish, the greatest selfie is perhaps the one taken from a protected distance, respecting the majestic creatures we are so keen to seize.